Red Sox Reliever Brad Keller Elects Free Agency

The Boston Red Sox (62-55) are doing whatever they can to stop the bleeding their pitching staff has induced since the start of the second half. Earlier this week they attempted to option struggling reliever Brad Keller to the minor leagues, but Keller has more than five years of service time and utilized his power to instead elect free agency.

Boston optioned Keller earlier in the season, and he accepted the minor league assignment. But this time, he does not.

This season, Keller has a 5.30 ERA across 37 1/3 innings in 15 games with 30 strikeouts and an 82 ERA+.

Keller, 29, is in his seventh Major League season. The majority of his career thus far has been spent with the Kansas City Royals (65-54) as a starting pitcher.

As a starter, Keller has made 116 starts, pitching to a 4.33 ERA across 646 innings with 483 strikeouts. As a reliever Keller has made 49 appearances, pitching to a 4.22 ERA across 70 1/3 innings with 53 strikeouts.

Combined for his career, Keller holds a 4.32 ERA across 716 1/3 innings in 165 games with 536 strikeouts and a 103 ERA+.

Despite Keller's struggles this season, it would not be surprising to see a team in a playoff race signing the veteran right-hander to a minor league deal. With experience in a rotation and pitching out of the bullpen, he could be a flexible piece to round out an almost complete pitching staff and help make that extra push into October.